By now Taréz was so accustomed to having bad news brought by the Chief that he was surprised when, three days later, the Chamberlain came into his chamber, a bit distressed.
“What is it?” asked his father. “Some more problems with the construction?”
“No, Sire. It’s an economic matter. The Light Vle League of Bankers have closed their banks until the concerns of their miner kinsmen are dealt with to their satisfaction.”
Taréz was stunned. The banking profession was primarily held by light Vle, even in the more westerly part of the country where there were almost no light Vle. Despite its size, Larmania was only as strong economically as the smaller light Vle countries to the south and east— and that largely because of the light Vle participation in the banking industry. “Do they have any specific suggestions of their own?”
“No, Sire, other than giving the miners what they want.”
“Impossible!” his father asserted. “If we raise the prices of metals to the level they want, no one will be able to afford them. And we certainly couldn’t compete— and that would be bad for them, too.”
“Apparently, Sire, the bankers disagree. I have heard from friends that our eastern nobles feel we’re undercutting them.”
Just then, Gardric stormed in. He opened his mouth as if to shout, but the King cut him off. “If it’s about the bankers, save it— I’ve heard. Any realistic suggestions on how to deal with them?”
“Unless realistic includes expatriation, no,” was the growled response.
“It sounds as though the bankers support the miners’ demands. I’m no economist, but I fail to see how raising the prices of metals can benefit the country.”
“It has nothing to do with that, Sire!” said the Chief impatiently. “They’re simply staging an economic takeover of this country. First, Yis, then the miners, now the bankers. Consider that war causes metal prices to rise. If you do not act now, you will lose control of the kingdom, from within, or without!”
And that was a scary thought. The House of Dronac had been on the throne constantly for the last few thousand years. Could a battle of economics remove the family now? Gardric was recommending removing the light Vle completely; Taréz’ own suggestion, martial law, hadn’t improved the situation much; what could stabilize the situation now?
“Yis? Do you have any recommendations?”
“No, Sire. I must admit the situation baffles me.”
Lajot sighed heavily. “You said the light Vle have closed their banks?”
“Yes, Sire.”
“And the miners are still not working?”
“They are not, Sire.”
“Then they won’t mind leaving their jobs for a while.” The King wiped his brow in an amazing show of nerves. Taréz had never seen has father sweat, and even he felt the heat of the gaze of the Chamberlain and Chief together. “From this day until such time as I decide,” proclaimed his father, “all light Vle are to reside in a secure camp somewhere near here, say, within a day’s ride.”
Taréz felt his jaw drop in astonishment, and decided it was not necessary to hide it in present company. “Sire!” Yis exclaimed, while Gardric barely suppressed a triumphant smirk.
“Note well! I do not want any jubilation here, nor feelings of betrayal. Remember, this kingdom is having some problems and I am trying to deal with them as best I can. All those in the camp are to be treated with the utmost respect, and given plenty of food, water, and other supplies. They are guests of the palace, essentially, and I do not want to give them any reason to complain. Is that clear, Chief?!”
“Yes, of course, Sire! All will be as you say.”
“Good. Now, go make the necessary preparations. We’ll be having nearly fifty thousand guests, so the camp will have to be enormous. Get moving.”
“Yes, Sire.” He bowed, and left almost at a trot.
“Sire?” Yis asked uncertainly. “Where— does that leave me?”
The King sighed. Taréz knew he’d come to regard this man as a trusted advisor, if not yet a friend. But he was a friend to Taréz. “Hmm. I guess it would be best to have you as, perhaps, mayor of the camp. I trust you, Yis, so I need you there. Plus, it hardly seems fair to put all but one light Vle in the camp.”
Yis’ face sank to a rather sad expression. Was there anger, as well?
“Yes, Sire. Who will serve as your Chamberlain during my absence?”
“I don’t know, Yis. I need to figure that out. In the meantime, would you help Gardric with the preparations? Perhaps we could divert some of the labor from the South Hall.”
“Of course, Sire.” Both monarchs watched the retreating back of the flaxen-haired Vle. A pall hung in the room, and the prince wondered if his father was really doing the right thing.
But Yis did not leave the room, instead stopping at the door. They watched as, finally, he turned and came striding up to the desk where the king sat. Yis’ face was beet red with an anger Taréz had never before seen. “I cannot believe you would do this! This is a crime, Your Majesty! A crime against Vlehood, and a crime against all mankind! You must reconsider— I demand it!!”
“Yis, what would you have me do? I can’t run a nation with an entire segment revolting against my will! I have to do something, and this is what I came up with.”
“Well, it’s a sorry excuse for a solution! Think, Your Majesty! This is what Gardric wants— control, nullification of light Vle! Are you going to believe him, follow his example, after all he’s done?!”
“Again I ask you, Yis, do I have a choice?”
“YES! That’s what I’m trying to tell you! You can still take back your proclamation, and find another solution.”
“I don’t have the luxury of time, Yis. This issue has to be resolved once and for all.”
Yis threw up his hands in exasperation. “Simply because of some miners who want a better life for themselves!”
“And those scouts on the border, and the bankers, and— you must admit, Yis, your project has been suspiciously dangerous.”
“Your Majesty, you are a racist!”
That hurt, and it wasn’t even directed at Taréz.
“Mr. Thour, I have put up with your second guessing enough! I have made my decision, and it is final! Now, go!”
The chamberlain almost went purple, turned sharply, and went out the door, slamming it. The monarchs watched as the door fell off its broken hinges.